Ohio State Football 2025

bob99 said:
It is impossible to replace all 4 starters on the D-line. OSU is in pretty good shape under the circumstances.

DEFENSIVE END​

Starters: Caden Curry (6-3, 260, Sr.), Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (6-6, 258, Sr.)

Backups: Logan George (6-5, 260, Jr.), C.J. Hicks (6-3, 233, Sr.) OR Joshua Mickens (6-4, 240, 3So.) OR Dominic Kirks (6-4, 255, RFr.)

Quick comment: This is about as good of shape as a team could possibly be in after losing Sawyer and Tuimoloau. Not only are Curry and Jackson talented DEs, they have extensive experience as backups and will be entering their senior seasons. Credit to them for waiting their turn to be starters and now it has arrived. Curry had 2.5 sacks in 2024 and Jackson added 1.5, but they were disruptive when they were on the field and their personal stats should skyrocket as starters.

As for the backups, George was a sneaky good-get in the portal by the Buckeyes. Last season at Idaho State, he had 6.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles-for-loss. He is also capable of moving inside to defensive tackle if needed, but his main position is on the outside. Then there will be a lot of players vying for the final spot on the two-deep at DE, but I'll roll the dice and say it will be Hicks. He played off the edge for the second half of the 2024 season and that could be his spot moving forward, depending on how the new DC wants to use him. Also in the mix will be Mickens, a rangy former 4-star recruit who will be entering his third season in the program.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE​

Starters: Eddrick Houston (6-3, 280, So.), Kayden McDonald (6-3, 330, Jr.)

Backups: Jason Moore (6-6, 305, 3So.), Tywone Malone (6-4, 301, 5Sr.) OR Will Smith Jr. (6-4, 288, 3So.) OR Eric Mensah (6-3, 308, RFr.)

Quick comment: I love the projected starting tandem of Houston and McDonald, while fully recognizing they have big shoes to fill with the departures of Ty Hamilton and Tyleik Williams. The depth is what concerns me here. I would like to see the Buckeyes go out and get a DT in the portal, even for depth purposes. But there are some guys currently on the roster who could prove to be valuable cogs, such as Moore, Malone, Smith Jr., Mensah and others. And as previously mentioned, George can slide inside from DE to DT if needed. So can Curry.
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I don't see the explosive edge rushers on this roster and Kayden McDonald being the only DT over 320 lbs is a problem. OSUs redzone defense was so good last season because they could play Tyleik AND Kayden together and they disrupted/plugged up a lot of things. All the more reason to get rid of LJ because he isn't bringing in the DUDES anymore
 
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Spartacus1987 said:
I don't see the explosive edge rushers on this roster and Kayden McDonald being the only DT over 320 lbs is a problem. OSUs redzone defense was so good last season because they could play Tyleik AND Kayden together and they disrupted/plugged up a lot of things. All the more reason to get rid of LJ because he isn't bringing in the DUDES anymore
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No.1 It aint happening No.2 D-line was the best part of OSU's defense last year. No. 3 Again it aint happening No.4 Go Bucks!!!
 
Spartacus1987 said:
I don't see the explosive edge rushers on this roster and Kayden McDonald being the only DT over 320 lbs is a problem. OSUs redzone defense was so good last season because they could play Tyleik AND Kayden together and they disrupted/plugged up a lot of things. All the more reason to get rid of LJ because he isn't bringing in the DUDES anymore
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I don't thlnk there are any clear favorite going into 2025. Michigan 2023 and Ohio State 2024 were both loaded with players who came back for one more year to win a title. I don't see any teams that would compare to those two teams this year. OSU D-Line could be as good as any other team in 2025.
 
bob99 said:
I don't thlnk there are any clear favorite going into 2025. Michigan 2023 and Ohio State 2024 were both loaded with players who came back for one more year to win a title. I don't see any teams that would compare to those two teams this year. OSU D-Line could be as good as any other team in 2025.
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Clemson returns quite a bit esp. on the D-line. I believe (not sure) 8 starters on offense including QB.
 
I’m concerned with DT depth as well. All 7, 2025-26 true freshmen included, expected backups have a combined 194 - roughly 10% less than Kayden McDonald had last year by himself as DT3. Just a lot of unknowns.
 
Orin Swift said:
I’m concerned with DT depth as well. All 7, 2025-26 true freshmen included, expected backups have a combined 194 - roughly 10% less than Kayden McDonald had last year by himself as DT3. Just a lot of unknowns.
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Not just the depth but the size. They are too small there, Kayden McDonald is their only guy over 320 lbs. IMO you need 2-3 of them at least to have a great run defense. I see defensive line being a weakness in 2025 UNLESS they can get some star transfers post spring ball
 
Brandon Innis and Carnell Tate with a chance to impress pro scouts early as they will catch passes from Will Howard during Howard’s pro day. They are likely the only current players to participate, joining the likes of Marvin Harrison and CJ Stoud.
 
Stirred not Shaken said:
Clemson returns quite a bit esp. on the D-line. I believe (not sure) 8 starters on offense including QB.
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Clemson is solid with returning experience and talent. Although it is fashionable to dismiss the Fighting Dabos and their quirky coach, they are defiantly a CFP final four contender.
 
Day did a quick overview of the position groups today. Really the only “negative” was at DT regarding depth. Said the guys behind McDonald and Houston need to step up in the next few weeks or they’ll have to go searching in the spring portal.

Also said if someone at DE enters the spring portal and it makes sense to add, they’ll bring look at bringing them in.
 
Orin Swift said:
Day did a quick overview of the position groups today. Really the only “negative” was at DT regarding depth. Said the guys behind McDonald and Houston need to step up in the next few weeks or they’ll have to go searching in the spring portal.

Also said if someone at DE enters the spring portal and it makes sense to add, they’ll bring look at bringing them in.
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The DE from Stanford totally makes sense
 
Versatility seems to be the buzz word for the Buckeyes in 2025. Day and Bowen have used it a lot when talking about the OL so far this spring.

Guerrieri and Walton talking about how the DBs need to be versatile when meeting with the media. Based on some comments made by the coaches and players it seems like Hartford is likely to start opposite Downs and McClain will be S3 and back up both. As a true sophomore, I wonder if McClain wrestles away a starting position from Hartford at some point in the year.

Despite likely being the starting nickel CB, Lorenzo Styles Jr said he wants to start on all four specials teams as well. Football players mentality, love to see it.

Bryce West says freshman Devin Sanchez is IGB 2.0 in regards to his energy and confidence.

I know IGB has had his penalty issues but I love having a shi+talking CB. Sanchez has the ability to back the shi+talk.
 
Orin Swift said:
Ward is been adamant that no NIL money was involved. He has not been as adamant that he did not steal it lol
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He’s actually in the Woody today for Student Appreciation Day, per a photo on his X account. Makes me think the Downs angle in this thing was a work via the “The Oracle”, and other X personalities in the Buckeye superfan-o-sphere. I mean, there’s no way they would let Ward step foot in the WHAC if there were any legs to the NIL rumors, right?
 
utsherman said:
He’s actually in the Woody today for Student Appreciation Day, per a photo on his X account. Makes me think the Downs angle in this thing was a work via the “The Oracle”, and other X personalities in the Buckeye superfan-o-sphere. I mean, there’s no way they would let Ward step foot in the WHAC if there were any legs to the NIL rumors, right?
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You wouldn’t think so, but this seems to have a weird angle with those guys covering today as a result of still being employed by Rivals.

More drama in the Ohio State football media sphere. Probably going to end up with Birm and Ward ending up with the other exiles at either BuckeyeScoop or Menace2Sports haha.
 
nwwarrior09 said:
You wouldn’t think so, but this seems to have a weird angle with those guys covering today as a result of still being employed by Rivals.

More drama in the Ohio State football media sphere. Probably going to end up with Birm and Ward ending up with the other exiles at either BuckeyeScoop or Menace2Sports haha.
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Lol.

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Not that it matters much, but Bo Jackson reportedly looked good today during student Day Appreciation scrimmage. FWIW Kienholz reportedly outperformed Sayin. I am going to go on a limb and say don't sleep on TSC moves well in the pocket and has a gun for an arm. Again, though just a scrimmage.

Edit: Interesting in this day of protecting the QB, Day allowed for live fire, let the defense hit the QB.
 
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